374 GLoSSARy
Federal Register A publication of the U.S.
government that prints executive orders, rules, and
regulations.
Federal Reserve System (the Fed) The system
created by Congress in 1913 to serve as the nation’s
central banking organization.
Feminism The movement that supports political,
economic, and social equality for women.
Filibuster The use of the Senate’s tradition of
unlimited debate as a delaying tactic to block a bill.
First Budget Resolution A resolution passed by
Congress in May that sets overall revenue goals and
spending targets for the following fiscal year.
Fiscal Having to do with government revenues and
expenditures.
Fiscal Federalism A process by which funds raised
through taxation or borrowing by one level of
government (usually the national government)
are spent by another level (typically, state or local
governments).
Fiscal Policy The federal government’s use of
taxation and spending policies to affect overall
business activity.
Fiscal year (Fy) A twelve-month period that is used
for bookkeeping, or accounting, purposes. Usually,
the fiscal year does not coincide with the calendar
year. For example, the federal government’s fiscal
year runs from October 1 through September 30.
Focus Group A small group of individuals who are
led in discussion by a professional consultant to
gather opinions on, and responses to, candidates
and issues.
Foreign Policy A nation’s external goals and the
techniques and strategies used to achieve them.
Foreign Policy Process The steps by which foreign
policy goals are decided and acted on.
Fracking Also called hydraulic fracturing, the
injection of a high-pressure solution of water, sand,
and chemicals into hydrocarbon-bearing rocks,
releasing oil or natural gas.
Franchise The right to vote.
Franking A policy that enables members of
Congress to send material through the mail by
substituting their facsimile signature (frank) for
postage.
Free Exercise Clause The provision of the First
Amendment guaranteeing the free exercise of
religion.
Free-Rider Problem The difficulty that interest
groups face in recruiting members when the
benefits they achieve can be gained without joining
the group.first seventeen clauses of Article I, Section 8, specify
most of the enumerated powers of Congress.
Equality As a political value, the idea that all people
are of equal worth.
Establishment Clause The part of the First
Amendment prohibiting the establishment of
a church officially supported by the national
government.
Exclusionary Rule A judicial policy prohibiting the
admission at trial of illegally seized evidence.
Executive Agreement An international agreement
made by the president, without senatorial
ratification, with the head of a foreign state.
Executive Budget The budget prepared and
submitted by the president to Congress.
Executive office of the President (EoP) An
organization established by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt to assist the president in carrying out
major duties.
Executive order A rule or regulation issued by the
president that has the effect of law.
Executive Privilege The right of executive officials
to withhold information from, or to refuse to appear
before, a legislative committee or a court.
Expressed Power A power of the president that
is expressly written into the Constitution or into
statutory law.F
Fall Review The annual process in which the OMB,
after receiving formal federal agency requests for
funding for the next fiscal year, reviews the requests,
makes changes, and submits its recommendations
to the president.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) The federal
regulatory agency with the task of enforcing federal
campaign laws. As a practical matter, the FEC’s role
is largely limited to collecting data on campaign
contributions.
Federalist An individual who was in favor of the
adoption of the U.S. Constitution and the creation of
a federal union with a strong central government.
Federal Mandate A requirement in federal
legislation that forces states and municipalities to
comply with certain rules.
Federal open Market Committee The most
important body within the Federal Reserve System.
The Federal Open Market Committee decides how
monetary policy should be carried out.
Federal Question A question that has to do with
the U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress, or treaties.
A federal question provides a basis for federal
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